Ochoa-Perez Indicted On Additional Charge

LAREDO, Texas – A federal grand jury has added a charge of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine to the current kidnapping allegations against Raul Ochoa-Perez, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson.

Ochoa-Perez, 42, of Laredo, was originally indicted for conspiracy to kidnap and kidnapping on May 14, 2014. The new charge alleges Ochoa-Perez has been a part of a conspiracy to transport drug-laden fire extinguishers since at least 2012. Further, the indictment alleges that in the course of the drug conspiracy, Ochoa-Perez had another individual abducted, bound and taken to Mexico where Ochoa-Perez threatened the lives of that individual’s family if he did not work for him.

Following the return of the original indictment, he made an appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Scott Hacker, at which time he was ordered detained pending further criminal proceedings. He is expected to appear again on the new charges in the near future.

Ochoa-Perez faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, upon conviction, as well as a potential $10 million fine. The U.S. is also seeking a money judgment in the amount of $3,066,975.

The case is the result of an investigation led by the FBI with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration and Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant United States Attorney James Hepburn is the handling the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.